We have a project where for various reasons we chose to use LEED NC, the project however is a renovation whereby it is an existing private school and half of it will become a conference center. The private school will still have a full schedule and provide about 60% of the total FTE's as students. There is 1 public bus line with a stop within 1/4 mile of the building.
Question being can we employ the LEED for Schools option of using the school buses as one of the 2 bus lines. There are no CIR's on this issue and we are concerned that it will fall under the language of not being available for public use. Thoughts?
David Posada
Integrated Design & LEED SpecialistSERA Architects
LEEDuser Expert
1980 thumbs up
November 19, 2012 - 8:16 pm
If the LEED project boundary is a conference center open to the public then we probably can't count the school buses as a second line, since as you point out, they aren't available to the public users of the LEED certifying project. Is that the case?
Patrick MacPherson
Senior ConsultantSustainable Design Consulting
13 thumbs up
November 20, 2012 - 9:17 am
The LEED Boundary encompasses both as both uses, conference center & school, are within the same building. There is also to be an after-hours continuing education program within the building. I am trying to establish if the buses will be used to shuttle these students or even the conference center particpants to locations off site. If this can be established will it satisfy the requirements of Option 2 as a Campus or Privately operated bus line per the definition within the LEED Reference Guide.
David Posada
Integrated Design & LEED SpecialistSERA Architects
LEEDuser Expert
1980 thumbs up
December 3, 2012 - 3:46 pm
Since your situation isn't typical, and 6 points are at stake, you'd probably need a CIR to know for sure. Alternatively, if you have enough "buffer points" you could document this with as much detail as possible and wait till the design review phase comes back with comments and see how it goes.